Democratic Students' Federation
| Abbreviation | DSF |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2012 |
| Founded at | Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi |
| Type | Student organisation |
| Legal status | Active |
| Headquarters | JNU, New Delhi |
Region served | India |
President | Swati Singh |
Secretary | Anagha Pradeep |
The Democratic Students' Federation (DSF) is a left-oriented student organisation active at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, India. Established in the early 2010s, it has participated in student elections, campus movements, and national-level education campaigns. The organisation has been reported on by Indian newspapers and discussed in academic studies of student politics.[1]
History
DSF was formed around 2012 by students seeking an alternative to existing left organisations within JNU.[2] In April 2023, it organised a signature campaign calling for the resumption of the JNUSU elections, reportedly collecting several thousand signatures.[3]
Ideology and objectives
DSF is generally described as a left-leaning organisation advocating democratic and progressive student politics.[4] The group has aligned with other Left formations during campus elections and has taken positions on issues such as public education and student representation.
Activities
The organisation has participated in election campaigns and protest actions related to education and student welfare. In March 2025, DSF joined several student groups in a demonstration at Jantar Mantar raising issues of university governance and education policy.[5] Media outlets have also reported on its involvement in campus protests and the university’s disciplinary responses.[6]
Elections
In the 2025 JNUSU elections, media reports indicated that a Left alliance including DSF-affiliated candidates won three of the four central panel posts, securing the positions of Vice-President and General Secretary.[7] [8]
Controversies
DSF and some of its members have been mentioned in reporting on disciplinary cases at JNU. In February 2024, the Delhi High Court set aside a university decision to rusticate and evict a PhD scholar, in a case covered as part of wider disputes on campus.[9] In April 2025, JNU again rusticated Swati Singh, described by the press as the DSF president, an action widely reported in the national media.[10] [11]
Notable people
- Swati Singh — identified in multiple national media outlets as DSF president at JNU.[12]
- Anagha Pradeep — named in coverage of JNU campus organisations as DSF secretary.[13]
References
- ↑ Martelli, Jean-Thomas (November 2021). "The Politics of Our Selves: Left self-fashioning and the production of representative claims in everyday Indian campus politics". Modern Asian Studies. 55 (6): 1972–2045. doi:10.1017/S0026749X2000013X. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Once JNU's kingmaker, SFI faces a 'wipe out' on campus". The Times of India. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "DSF JNU holds signature campaign demanding student union elections". The Indian Express. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ Martelli, Jean-Thomas (November 2021). "The Politics of Our Selves: Left self-fashioning and the production of representative claims in everyday Indian campus politics". Modern Asian Studies. 55 (6): 1972–2045. doi:10.1017/S0026749X2000013X. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "7 student organisations to protest at Jantar Mantar on March 24 over edu issues". Hindustan Times. 9 March 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "JNU: Students allege administration charged ₹10–15K as fine for participating in protests; varsity denies". The Indian Express. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "JNU students' union polls: Left panel bags three key central panel posts, ABVP wins one". The Indian Express. 28 April 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Left retains grip, right rises in JNUSU elections". BestColleges (India Today). Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Delhi HC sets aside decision by JNU to rusticate and evict PhD scholar". The Times of India. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "JNU again rusticates student leader Swati Singh; cites misconduct". ThePrint. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "JNU once again rusticates student leader Swati Singh, declares her 'out of bounds'". The New Indian Express. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "JNU again rusticates student leader Swati Singh; cites misconduct". ThePrint. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "DSF JNU holds signature campaign demanding student union elections". The Indian Express. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
External links
This article "Democratic Students' Federation" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Democratic Students' Federation. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
